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Up from Down Under
'Up From Down Under' tells the remarkable untold story of how Australian music took over the world.
Beginning with Peter Allen’s unlikely journey from the plains of Tenterfield to the stage of New York’s Radio City Music Hall � astride a camel, no less � and charting the rollercoaster rides of the Little River Band, Helen Reddy, the Bee Gees, Olivia Newton-John, Air Supply, Rick Springfield, Men at Work, Keith Urban and recent Grammy-winner Gotye, this broad panorama plots the massive influence our tiny population has had on popular culture over the past 40 years.
Along the way Australian artists have collected Grammys, Oscars and sales registering in the hundreds of millions.
'Up From Down Under' also serves as a cautionary tale about the hefty price paid by so many of these big names. The deaths of such stars as INXS� Michael Hutchence and Maurice, Robin and Andy Gibb proves that old adage to be true: it really is a long way to the top.
Beginning with Peter Allen’s unlikely journey from the plains of Tenterfield to the stage of New York’s Radio City Music Hall � astride a camel, no less � and charting the rollercoaster rides of the Little River Band, Helen Reddy, the Bee Gees, Olivia Newton-John, Air Supply, Rick Springfield, Men at Work, Keith Urban and recent Grammy-winner Gotye, this broad panorama plots the massive influence our tiny population has had on popular culture over the past 40 years.
Along the way Australian artists have collected Grammys, Oscars and sales registering in the hundreds of millions.
'Up From Down Under' also serves as a cautionary tale about the hefty price paid by so many of these big names. The deaths of such stars as INXS� Michael Hutchence and Maurice, Robin and Andy Gibb proves that old adage to be true: it really is a long way to the top.
- GenresMusicNonfiction
237 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Apter
47Ìýbooks49ÌýfollowersJeff Apter is the author of more than 30 books, many dealing with the world of music. He has written biographies of Keith Urban, Malcolm and Angus Young of AC/DC, Jeff Buckley and the Bee Gees. As ghostwriter, he has worked with ARIA Hall of Famers Kasey Chambers and Richard Clapton, and AC/DC’s Mark Evans. He was also the creative consultant for the award–nominated live production A State of Grace: The Music of Jeff and Tim Buckley and spent four years on staff at Rolling Stone Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 31, 2019
Interesting facts and background spoiled by patchy writing and obvious biases.
August 13, 2022
Interesting, easy reading, I enjoyed it. Some stuff I knew, a lot I didn't. I was reading all about Livvy when she passed away - she certainly gave cancer a run for it's money. What a woman!
November 4, 2024
Most informative and very well written in an interesting and easy to follow style.
January 1, 2014
In short, the tag line for this book - currently 'How Australian Music changed the world' - should instead read, 'How Some Australian Artists made the odd minor dent in America'.
Shallow, barely connected, it reads like a series of badly conceived and poorly edited magazine articles for Smash Hits or whatever the music magazine du jour for puff pieces is these days.
The stars are for telling me about Liza Minelli and Peter Allen (it's all downhill after the first chapter) and for the wonderful Garth Brooks insult.
Shallow, barely connected, it reads like a series of badly conceived and poorly edited magazine articles for Smash Hits or whatever the music magazine du jour for puff pieces is these days.
The stars are for telling me about Liza Minelli and Peter Allen (it's all downhill after the first chapter) and for the wonderful Garth Brooks insult.
January 7, 2014
Almost gave it 4 stars !
The sub title is a bit misleading as the story focuses on only a few of our iconic singers eg Peter Allen, Bee Gees, Helen Reddy, Rick Springfield, Keith Urban, LRB to name a few. So if you dont like these guys give it a miss. It also concentrates on their success in the USA and not the world.
That aside, I really enjoy reading about singers from that era and so the book held my interest, was informative and readable. It's one man's opinions and research so you hope he got it right.
Glad I read it, loved the Peter Allen story.
The sub title is a bit misleading as the story focuses on only a few of our iconic singers eg Peter Allen, Bee Gees, Helen Reddy, Rick Springfield, Keith Urban, LRB to name a few. So if you dont like these guys give it a miss. It also concentrates on their success in the USA and not the world.
That aside, I really enjoy reading about singers from that era and so the book held my interest, was informative and readable. It's one man's opinions and research so you hope he got it right.
Glad I read it, loved the Peter Allen story.
January 15, 2015
A different book which I was a little disappointed in. I was hoping for more information on Australian bands and how they rose in Australia but it was more about how they hit it big or failed in America. We have some amazing talent and it was great to learn about it because some things I didn't know. Australian music talent can make it big in other countries but us as Australians need to support it first
January 11, 2014
Good hospital book. Lots of insights that I didn't know from my music days, but some gem bits about the bands that made it all the way in the USA. well written and put out. Good stuff.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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